Just stumbled on this news article, "Death by GPS" in desert.

The article specifically talks about motorists in Death Valley who get stranded by following their GPS directions even though those roads are closed or impassable, but more broadly, the article is a good reminder to:

1. Be prepared, especially when venturing outside your normal locales or conditions
2. Don't blindly rely on one single tool/technology
3. Use your head/common sense

Good find; thanks.

Yep, found it independently. Good reading, and very convincing.

The PLB is the ultimate answer.

I can attest to auto GPS fallacies in a more common scenario, giving a route that exists but is impassable.

Last October driving to a race in Northern California with friends we drove right past Death Valley and eventually over Route 4, to get to Big Bear. It goes over a high elevation winding pass and is essentially a lane and half wide and IIRC about 30 miles. It had already snowed and more was likely. Had we become stuck we'd have been screwed. Had they closed the gates at either end, we'd have been screwed.

Very much the Kim Family Scenario we discuss on here so often.

On road trips:
-Always have a paper state map/atlas. Do not rely on TomToms, Garmins and Smartphone apps.
-Always buy a local map when stop for gas.
-Always ask the attendant about any possible road issues ahead if you deviate from a main highway (closures, snow, slides, construction).

Nope. It is better to avoid getting into the situation through better map reading and interpretation.

The PLB is for when you have flunked and need outside assistance. Competence generally needs no outside help. There are rare exceptions.

Map reading is a key to staying safe with a GPS.

Road maps, topos, state websites that provide travel advisories are essential.

Blake
www.outdoorquest.biz

Huh?

lol. Well said, although I'll cut people a little slack. Sometimes "stuff" happens: rockfall, mechanical failure, weather, etc. The best prepared are still at the mercy of God.

And if you do flunk Prep 101, Navigation 101, or the Big Guy upstairs decides it's just not your day, then:

HJ

Perhaps, but as the example in the story and Comms' story illustrate, you may not even be planning on being out in the backcountry when your GPS sends you someplace dangerous, so you may not even think of having your PLB with you.

For example, many thousands of people make the drive from Southern California to someplace like Las Vegas each year. From your air conditioned home, in your air conditioned car, to the air conditioned casino. There's little chance of getting lost if you stay on the interstates, but get off the beaten track a bit on the way and your GPS blurts out, "Re-calculating..."--who knows what goat path you may end up on if they're in your GPS' database?

Hmm, makes you wonder about TomTom's "million more miles" claim.